Barium dispensing system



BARIUM DISPENSING SYSTEM Filed Feb. 2'7, 1964 8 INVENTOR. 20 l 22 4 AoZer 2 M Sessz'arza United States Patent O 3,266,673 BARIUM DISPENSING SYSTEM Robert W. Sessions, 129 Park Ave., River Forest, Ill. Filed Feb. 27, 1964, Ser. No. 347,756 7 Claims. (Cl. 222-146) The present invention relates generally to a system and method for handling solutions of the type which tend to settle out when left standing, even when the standing time is relatively short.

The present invention is applicable generally to the handling of solutions of any composition provided that the solution is sufficiently liquid to flow through a discharge tube. The present invention is particularly applicable to the handling of barium sulfate solution for use in col-on fluoroscopies. Heretofo-re, considerable difficulty has been encountered in providing an apparatus and method for maintaining a barium solution in a properly dispersed condition within a tank so that it can be used at any given time after the solution has been prepared because of the tendency of the solid material in the solution to settle out in the tank.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved method and apparatus for maintaining a barium solution for use in colon fluoroscopies in condition for use at any time after the solution has been prepared.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved method and apparatus in which a heated solution such as barium sulfate is kept in a state of constant agitation even though such solution is to be dispensed only periodically.

Other objects and features of the present invention will more fully become apparent in view of the following detailed description illustrating a single embodiment and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of a barium dispensing apparatus; and

FIGURE 2 is a vertical section of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 1 only with certain components illustrated in elevation.

As shown on the drawings:

The tank 10 is utilized to contain a barium sulfate solution for use in colon fluoroscopies. The barium sulfate solution may comprise eight pounds of barium sulfate powder to two gallons of water, and the capacity of the tank 10 may be forty quarts.

Prior to the present invention, there has been no satisfactory way of maintainingthe barium sulfate in a properly dispersed condition within the tank.

The dispensing of the barium solution from the tank is via a flexible tube 11 having a solenoid shut-off valve generally indicated at 12. The solenoid valve is located in a housing 13 directly secured to the tank 10. The housing may, for example, contain all of the electrical wiring for the dispensing system including a relay controlled from a remote station and in turn controlling energization of the solenoid 12, a suitable transformer for supply of secondary voltage of appropriate value, indicator lights, fuses and the like. The solenoid valve 12 may include a solenoid 15 having an armature member 16 which is urged downwardly into closing relation to the tube 11 by means of a suitable compression spring 17. The armature 16 may carry a relatively thin plate 18 which has a straight relatively thin edge extending transverse to the tube 11 for constricting the tube and preventing flow therethrough. supporting plate underlies the tube 17 and cooperates with the edge of plate 18 in pinching off the tube. When the remote control switch is actuated, (not shown), the relay (not shown) in housing 13 is actuated to cause energization of the solenoid 15 and retraction of the armature 16 against Patented August 16, 1966 the action of spring 17 to open the tube 11 and allow the flow of the barium solution along the tube 11 under the action of gravity.

The tube 11 communicates with the interior of the tank 10 by means of an aperture in the tank wall as indicated at 22 which is near the bottom wall 10a of the tank.

The element indicated by the reference numeral 24 in FIGURES 1 and 2 is a suitable heating element for maintaining the barium solution at a predetermined desired temperature corresponding approximately to body temperature. A thermostatic element indicated at 25 and located at approximately the same height as the element 24 in the tank is effective in connection with the control circuitry in the housing 13 to maintain the desired temperature. That is, if the temperature falls below a predetermined value, electric current is supplied to the heating element 24 until the temperature is raised to a predetermined upper limit temperature after which current flow may be interrupted, for example, until the temperature of the solution again falls to the lower predetermined limit. Any suitable automatic temperature control of this type may be utilized. The level of the heating element 24 in the tank is related to the volume of the tank lying below the level of the heating element so that the heating element 24 is incapable of heating the barium solution above 100 F. even in the event of a failure of the thermostat 25. That is, given a volume of barium solution such that the surface of the solution is in contact with the heating element 24, the volume of the liquid is such that the heating element would be incapable of raising the temperature of the volume of liquid above 100 F. Of course, if the level of liquid falls below the level of the heating element 24, the heating element 24 even if continuously energized would transfer relatively little heat to the volume of liquid.

The tank 10 is provided with a cover assembly including a fixed cover part and a movable coverpart 31 hinged to the fixed part as indicated at 32 in FIGURE 2. A suitable handle 33 is secured to the hinged cover part 31 to facilitate opening of the cover part 31 for inserting the elements of the barium solution and other purposes. The cover assembly may be provided with a grooved margin as indicated at 30a and 31a in FIGURE 2 and a suitable seal may be provided secured to the underside of the cover 31a as indicated at 35 in FIG- URE 2 which seal seats upon a bead 10b at the top of the tank in closed position of the movable cover section 31 The fixed cover section 30 may be secured to the top of the tank by means of screws or the like such as indicated at 36 and 37 so as to be readily removable.

The tank 10 may have suitable carrying handles as indicated at 40 and 41 in FIGURE 1. The housing 13 may be secured to the tank by suitable fastening means such as indicated at 42 and 43 in FIGURE 1.

In order to maintain the barium sulfate properly dispersed in the volume of the tank, an impeller device indicated at 44 is provided carried on an elongated shaft 45 and driven from an electric motor 46. The motor is secured to the tank by means of a bracket 47 secured to the motor casing as indicated at 48 and secured to the side wall 10b of the tank by fastening means which may comprise bolts and nuts, such as indicated at 49 and 50. Of course, suitable seals are utilized at all points where there are apertures in the tank 10 below the liquid level therein which may be generally as indicated by the reference numeral in FIGURE 2.

As an example of a very successful embodiment in accordance with the present invention, the impeller blade has a radial dimension beyond the harp portion 44a thereof of about /2". The distance d between the center of the impeller 44 and the upper surface of the bottom wall a of the tank is slightly more than /2" and the motor 46 operates at a speed of about 1725 revolutions per minute. A bafile wall 62 extends across the central part of the tank and has end flanges 62a and 62b secured to the side wall of the tank by suitable fastening means. The bafile wall has a spacing above the bottom of the tank d of slightly more than 2" and has a height dimension h of about 4". Effectively, each successive blade of the impeller 44 during rotation thereof has its radially outer tip move in close relation to the plane of the baffle wall 62 at a height above the bottom wall 10a of approximately 1", that is approximately mid-way between the bottom wall 10a and the lower edge of the baffle wall 62. An axial projection of the shaft 45 and the axis of the impeller 44 would intersect the bottom Wall 1011 within a half-inch or so of the center of the bottom wall 10a. The impeller 44 has its blades tilted at an angle of approximately 30 to the horizontal and rotates in such a direction as to impel the liquid downwardly and generally toward the center of the bottom wall 10a substantially directly below the partition wall 62. It is found that the positioning of the impeller 44 and the location and dimensions of the partition wall 62 are relatively critical for adequate dispersion of the barium sulfate in the volume of the tank. The impeller 44 should be relatively near to the center of the tank as illustrated and a one-half inch blade should be within /2" to 2" from the bottom wall 10a, that is the distance al should be between /2" and 2". The radial dimension r of the blade 44 can be increased to about 1" and the distance d correspondingly slightly increased as to its upper limit but in effect, the impeller 44 must be relatively close to the bottom wall 10a in relation to its effective radial dimension r. It is considered preferable to drive the impeller 44 at a speed betwen 1400 and 1900 revolutions per minute. The baffie wall 62 has been found to be essential in conjunction with the impeller 44 so as to prevent undesired movements of the liquid and to insure the desired motion of the liquid which is downwardly toward the bottom wall 10 and then upwardly along the side wall of the tank at all points about the circumference of the side wall 100. The bafile 62 tends to prevent circumferential flow of the liquid. The level of the liquid indicated at 60 may, for example, at its maximum level be approximately 12" above the bottom wall 10a and it is important that the height h of the baflle wall 62 be a substantial proportion of the effective height of the tank. The baffle may have a height substantially greater than that shown and described, but the height of the baffle h cannot be substantially less than that described, namely about 4".

While I have shown and described a commercial embodiment of my novel apparatus, it will be understood that the same is capable of modification, and that modification may be made without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

I claimas my invention: v

1. A barium dispensing system for use in colon fluoroscopies comprising storage means for receiving a level of barium solution,

means for heating and maintaining the solution at approximately human body temperature,

valve means enabling the solution to be dispensed from the storage means,

means for maintaining particles of the barium in a properly dispersed condition within the storage means comprising a baffle spaced at its lower end above a bottom of the storage means and spaced at its upper end below the level of the barium solution and extending laterally to the side walls of the storage means for limiting circumferential flow of the solution within the storage means, and

a motor driven impeller disposed at one side of the baffle with the impeller having rotary driven blades spaced above the bottom at an underside of the baflle liquid at a prising a bafile spaced at its lower end above the bottom of the tank and spaced at its upper end below the level of the liquid and extending laterally to the side walls of the tank for limiting circumferential flow of the liquid within the tank, and a motor driven impeller disposed at one side of the bafile with the impeller having rotary driven blades spaced above the bottom at an underside of the balfle to impel the liquid downwardly and along the' bottom and then vertically along the side wall of the tank. 3. A solution dispensing system comprising a tank for receiving a level of a solution, valve means enabling the solution to be dispensed from the tank, means for maintaining particles of the solution in a properly dispersed condition within the tank comprising a baflle extended transversely of the tank and joined at opposite ends with the side walls of the tank for limiting circumferential flow of the solution within the tank, said baflle being spaced at its lower end above a bottom of the tank and being spaced at its upper end below the level of the solution, and a motor driven impeller disposed at one side of the baffle with the impeller having rotary driven blades spaced above the bottom at an underside of the baflle to impel the solution downwardly and along the bottom and then vertically along the side wall of the tank. 4. A solution dispensing system comprising a tank for receiving a level of a solution, valve means enabling the solution to be dispensed from the tank, means for maintaining particles of the solution in a properly dispersed condition within the tank comprising a baffle extended transversely of the tank and joined at opposite ends with the tank for limiting circumferential flow of the solution within the tank, said baffle being spaced at its lower end above a bottom of the tank and being spaced at its upper end below the level of the solution, and a motor driven impeller disposed at one side of the battle with the impeller having rotary driven blades spaced above the bottom at an underside of the baffle to impel the solution downwardly and along the bottom and then vertically along the side wall of the tank,

said impeller having its blades tilted approximately 30 relative to a horizontal plane and being rotatable between 1400 and 1900 revolutions per minute. 5. A barium dispensing system for use in colon fluoroscopies comprising the side walls of the tank for limiting circumferential flow of the solution within the tank, and

a motor mounted on the side wall having a drive shaft extended into the tank and an impeller mounted on its lower end adjacent the bottom of the tank and disposed at one side of the baffle with the impeller having rotary driven blades spaced above the bottom at an underside of the baflle to impel the solution downwardly and along the bottom and then vertically along the side wall of the tank.

6. A barium dispensing system comprising a tank for receiving a barium solution up to a height of approximately 12 inches above the bottom thereof and having a diameter comparable to said height to provide a capacity of the order of 40 quarts,

valve means enabling the solution to be dispensed from the tank,

means for maintaining particles of the solution in a properly dispersed condition within the tank comprising a bafile extended transversely of the tank and joined at opposite ends with the tank for limiting circumferential flow of the solution within the tank, and with said baffle being spaced above the bottom of the tank, and

a motor driven impeller disposed at one side of the bafile with the impeller having rotary driven blades spaced above the bottom at an underside of the baflle to impel the solution downwardly toward 5 central region of the bottom and along the bottom and then vertically along the side wall of the tank,

said baflie having a height of not less than approximately 4 inches and the lower edge of the bafile being spaced above the bottom about 2 inches.

7. A barium dispensing system comprising a tank for receiving a barium solution up to a height of approximately 12 inches above the bottom thereof and having a diameter comparable to said height to provide a capacity of the orderof 40 quarts,

valve means enabling the solution to be dispensed from the tank,

means for maintaining particles of the solution in a properly dispersed condition within the tank comprising a baflle extended transversely of the tank and joined at opposite ends with the tank for limiting circumferential flow of the solution within the tank, and with said baffle being spaced above the bottom of the tank, and

a motor driven impeller disposed at one side of the baflle with the impeller having rotary driven blades spaced above the bottom at an underside of the bafile to impel the solution downwardly toward a central region of the bottom and along the bottom and then vertically along the side wall of the tank,

said baflle having a height of not less than approximately 4 inches, and the lower edge of the baflie being spaced above the bottom wall about 2 inches,

said impeller having its axis disposed in a plane that can be projected within approximately /2 inch of the center of the bottom wall,

said impeller having its blades tilted approximately 30 degrees relative to a horizontal plane and being rotatable between 1400 and 1900 revolutions per minute, said impeller blades having a radial dimension of about /2 inch.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,430,362 9/1922 Devereux 259-108 1,876,994 9/1932 Mann.

1,930,551 10/1933 Blashfield 219-328 X 2,623,449 12/1952 Losee 259-108 X 2,647,103 7/1953 Griflith et al. 23-285 X 2,834,869 5/1958 Stiebel 219-437 X 2,869,760 1/1959 Karlen et al 222-146 X 3,007,578 11/1961 Wride et al. 23-285 X 3,042,310 7/1962 Franke et al. 239-142 3,045,869 7/1962 Rodth et a1. 2221-54 X 3,101,871 8/1963 Lucas et a1. 222-214 X 3,147,364 9/1964 Ross et a1 219-331 X RAPHAEL M. LUPO, Primary Examiner.' 

1. A BARIUM DISPENSING SYSTEM FOR USE IN COLON FLUOROSCOPIES COMPRISING STORAGE MEANS FOR RECEIVING A LEVEL OF BARIUM SOLUTION, MEANS FOR HEATING AND MAINTAINING THE SOLUTION AT APPROXIMATELY HUMAN BODY TEMPERATURE, VALVE MEANS ENABLING THE SOLUTION TO BE DISPENSED FROM THE STORAGE MEANS, MEANS FOR MAINTAINING PARTICLES OF THE BARIUM IN A PROPERLY DISPERSED CONDITION WITHIN THE STORAGE MEANS COMPRISING A BAFFLE SPACED AT ITS LOWER END ABOVE A BOTTOM OF THE STORAGE MEANS AND SPACED AT ITS UPPER END BELOW THE LEVEL OF THE BARIUM SOLUTION AND EXTENDING LATERALLY TO THE SIDE WALLS OF THE STORAGE MEANS FOR LIMITING CIRCUMFERENTIAL FLOW OF THE SOLUTION WITHIN THE STORAGE MEANS, AND A MOTOR DRIVEN IMPELLER DISPOSED AT ONE SIDE OF THE BAFFLE WITH THE IMPELLER HAVING ROTARY DRIVEN BLADES SPACED ABOVE THE BOTTOM AT AN UNDERSIDE OF THE BAFFLE TO IMPEL THE SOLUTION DOWNWARDLY AND ALONG THE BOTTOM AND THEN VERTICALLY ALONG THE SIDE WALL. 